Electric toy cannon



Feb. 27, 1962 R. A. RUCKER,

ELECTRIC TOY CANNON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1959 T0 GROUND Richard A. Rucker INVENTOR.

Feb. 27,, 1962 R. A. RUCKER ELECTRIC TOY CANNON 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1959 Richard A. Ruc/rer INVENTOR.

. g. ZMwmm 3,022,597 ELECTRIC TUY CANNON Richard A. er, Moneta, Va. (Box 158, Gretna, Va.) Filed Feb. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 794,038 6 Claims. (Cl. 42-55) The present invention generally relates to a toy cannon and more particularly an electric cannon which employs a mixture of gasoline mist and pure oxygen which will explode in the firing chamber of the electric cannon when ignited regar less of the proportions of these two ingredients and also regardless of the order of introduction of the ingredients and the means of introducing the ingredients.

A further obiect of the present invention is to provide an electric cannon including an elongated tubular firing chamber for receiving gasoline mist and. oxygen together with a mechanism for producing a spark for igniting and exploding this mixture.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a toyelectric'cannon incorporating a manually operated fuel spray system for directing atomized gaso line into the firing chamber of the cannon together with a spark plug extending into the firing chamber and mechanism for supplying oxygen into the firing chamber for mixing with the gasoline mist thus providing an explosive mixture which may be ignited bythe spark plug.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide a toy cannon in accordance with the preceding objects in which the cannon is provided with a preheating chamber having a heating element therein for more effectively vaporizing the gasoline rnistbut primarily is for use when heavier hydrocarbons are used in lieu of gasoline.

' Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electric toy cannon in accordance with the preceding objects together with means'to prevent excessive fuel spray from reaching the spark plug electrodes.

Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide an electric toy cannon having a novel structural carriage for supporting the cannon in adjusted orientation.

Still further objects of the present invention .will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, elfectiveness for its particular purposes and relatively inexpensive manufacturing costs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the electric toy cannon of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken sub stantially upon a plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the details of construction of the device; g I l FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic wiringdiagram of the ignition system; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of the spray pump employed in the present invention and illustrating a modified ground support.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 19 generally designates the toy cannon of the present invention which includes a cylindrical member 12 generally in the form of, a tubular 'pipe which may be termed a barrel or firing chamber; The tubular member 12 or firing chamber 12 is provided with a closed end wall 14 3,622,597 Patented Feb. 27, 1$2

and a depending flange or baffle wall 16 spaced from the closed end wall 14 and extending downwardly from the top portion of the firing chamber 12.

Screw threaded through the top of the firing chamber 12 intermediate the flange or wall 16 and the closed end Wall 14 is a spark plug 18 provided with a spark plug wire 29 connected thereto in a conventional manner. The spark plug 18 is of conventional construction and is employed for igniting a combustible mixture within the firing chamber 12. Threaded into the rear or end wall 14 is a petcock valve 22 connected to an oxygen line 24 which in turn is connected with an oxygen supply cylinder 26 through a suitable controlvalve 28. Also extending through the end wall 14 is a housing or sleeve 30 which receives the electrodes of a preheater 32 which is provided with an electrical conductor 34 for preheating the firing chamber and volatilizing liquid fuels therein.

Forwardly of the baffle Wall 16 is a laterally disposed opening 35 connected with a branch conduit 36 which extends rearwardly therefrom in oblique angular relation. Attached to the branch conduit 36 is an atomizing pump 38 having an operating reciprocating handle 40 and having a support bracket 42 carried by a rod 43 supported from the firing chamber 12. The pump 38 is spaced from the conduit as by virtue of the bracket 42. The firing chamber 12 is provided with a transverse tubular member 46 secured thereto across the top thereof as by welding and which receives a pivot shaft 48 having a lug Sit on one end thereof which receives an elongated screw threaded prop member 52 having a nut 54 thereon engaging with opposite surfaces of the lug 50. The threaded member 52 is provided with a handle 56 at the upper end thereof and the lower end thereof is threaded through a projecting lug 58 which is carried by a shaft 60 iournaled in a cylindrical member 62 supported by a transverse frame member 64 carried by a transverse axle 66. The cylindrical member 62 is at the forward end of an elongated supporting plate 68 which has the rear end thereof apertured and receiving a ground inserted rod 70 which has a laterally extending handle 72 at the upper end thereof and which has retaining nuts 7-!- engaging opposite surfaces of the mounting plate or retaining plate for retaining the axle 66 in position. The axle 66 has ground engaging support wheels 76 mounted thereon and theanchor thereon will prevent movement thereof until such time as the anchors are manually withdrawn. The rear end of the firing chamber is supported bybracket member 78 welded to the firing chamber 12 and also connected to the transverse rod 80 supported by laterally spaced brackets 82 whereby rotation of the handle 56 will cause elevation of the firing chamber 12 since the firing chamber will pivot about rod 80.

The outer end of the firing chamber 12 is provided I with a threaded reducing adapter 84 and a smaller tubular member 86 extending longitudinally therefrom which slidably receives'an elongated sleeve 88 having a nose cone 89 thereon to simulate an actual rocket wherein the explosion within the firing chamber will cause the rocket to be projected at a very high elevation and great speed.

Figure 5 illustrates a slightly modified form of the invention in which a ground spike 90 is employed to support the firing chamber 12' and the spike 90 is provided with a U-shaped saddle or yoke 92 at theupper end thereof for receiving threaded studs 94 secured to the firing chamber 12' with the. U-shaped saddle 92 being held in position by fastening members 96 threaded is open by accidental depression of the ignition button 101 which is mounted in a box 102 supported by a ground stake 104 which also houses the necessary mechanism for energizing the spark plug. Such mechanism includes a vibrating coil unit and a suitable battery such as a six volt battery.

It is noted that the pump 38 is provided with a container 106 screw threaded thereto which container has a discharge nozzle 108 extending into the air discharge of the atomizing pump 38 which construction simulates a spray gun with the discharge of the spray gun being aligned with the opening in the branch conduit 36. A cap 44 is screw threaded onto the branch conduit 36 and is provided with a projecting hook 118 on one side thereof which is engaged with a hook-shaped memher 112 which is connected to an insulator 114. This device prevents unscrewing of the cap 44 except when the hook-shaped member 112 is disengaged therefrom. A ground electrical wire 116 is connected with the hookshaped member 112 so that it will be necessarily disconnected from the firing chamber 12 when the hookshaped member 112 is not engaged with the projecting hook 116 on the cap 44. Therefore, the device cannot be fired unless the cap 44 is in position and unless the hook-shaped member 112 is engaged with the hook 110.

The atomizer pump 38 is a siphon type hand atomizer and is supported by guide pipe 42 and support member 43 which is welded to firing chamber 12. A coil spring 45 is attached to the rear of the guide pipe 42 and the other end of the spring is attached to the anterior end of the fuel atomizer gun or pump 38. The cap 44 is a closure cap and the hook 116 is welded to the cap. The hook 112 is positioned to engage hook 110 and the hook 112 is attached to the ground wire 116. An L-shaped support bar 118 is attached to the insulated conduit 114 which receives the flexible wire 116 or an extension thereof which terminates in the hook 112. A spring 121 extends between hook 112 and bar 118 for spring urging the hook 112 away from the hook 110 when the same is disconnected thereby assuring positive disconnection between the firing chamber and the ground wire to prevent completion of the ignition circuit as long as the cap 44 is removed from branch conduit 36.

The firing chamber 12 is constructed of a piece of wrought steel pipe with the rear thereof being closed by a Welded steel plate. The preheater sleeve is closed at the inner end and will volatilize heavier hydrocarbons such as kerosene or the like. The bafile plate 16 protects the spark plug for reflected atomized gasoline.

As shown, the firing chamber may be mounted on wheels, on a simple spike, not shown, a yoke type spike, see FIGURE 5, or a combination yoke spike and tripod, not shown. A suitable device such as a T-bar having a pointed lower end may be used for preparing a hole for the spike.

The control box 102 contains a battery and a vibrator coil unit which includes the usual components for providing a spark jump across the gap in the spark plug when the switch is depressed. This structure is shown schematically in FIGURE 4 and includes switch 101, battery 119, a primary coil 120 connected to wires 20 and 116, a magnetic core 124, breaker points 126 operated by the core 124 and a condenser 128 to prevent arcing across the points 126. When the switch button is depressed, high voltage current is induced into the secondary coil in the usual manner and a spark jumps across the spark plug gap. An alternate power source or alternative battery may be connected into the primary coil circuit if desired by providing suitable attaching terminals on the box.

In cannons having a larger firing chamber, the spark generator or control box should be provided with approximately 25 feet of extension wire to permit a child to fire the cannon while out of the percussion zone.

This device is primarily constructed as a toyand will be used by children and since it utilizes potentially explosive ingredients which are dangerous if improperly used, the present device is constructed with adequate safety factors incorporated therein. One such feature is the anchor support which makes it extremely inconvenient to use indoors which could possibly be dangerous if the interior of a room became saturated with gasoline fumes.

In operation, the cannon 1a is mounted by any one of the several structures mentioned and the cap 4 is then removed and the spray gun 3'8 pushed forward against the tension of the spring interconnecting the spray gun 38 and the branch conduit 36. After a quantity of gasoline is sprayed into the firing chamber 12 and a quantity of oxygen is also admitted into the firing chamber which may be calculated for maximum effect, a loose fitting missile or tin can may be placed over the muzzle of the firing chamber. The cap 44 is replaced and the hooks and 112 are engaged with the spring 121 engaging the hook 112 assuring a positive electrical ground for ground wire 16 to the firing chamber. When the oxygen valve 2 is closed, the spark plug wire 20 to the center electrode of the spark plug 18 may only then be connected and the device is ready for firing after a delay of approximately one minute for proper mixing of the gasoline and oxygen. In lieu of the spark plug, a touch hole may be provided for receiving an individually insulated two wire electrical cord which is connected on one extremity to the positive and negative terminals respectively of the control box. The other end is cut off straight across exposing only the ends of the conductors which are approximately apart. Thus, when the cut olf end of the cord is inserted into the hole and the switch button is depressed, the combustible mixture will fire or explode in the firing chamber due to the spark arcing between the exposed ends of the electric wires or conductors.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An electric toy cannon comprising an elongated tubular firing chamber having one open end and a wall closing the other end, a spark plug mounted in said firing chamber adjacent the closed end, a fuel pump means communicating with said firing chamber adjacent said closed end, means connected with the firing chamber for admitting a supply of oxygen adjacent said closed end, preheating means inserted into said firing chamber adjacent said closed end, and means supportingly engaging said firing chamber with the open end in elevated position.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said spark plug is provided with a spark plug wire, said oxygen supply means including an oxygen supply line connected to a source of oxygen and a petcock valve in said line and having an eye therein, said spark plug Wire extending through said eye for retaining the oxygen petcock valve in closed relation when the spark plug wire is connected to the spark plug.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said fuel pump means includes a branch conduit communieating with the firing chamber, a removable cap on said conduit, means connected with said cap for grounding the firing chamber only when the cap is closed thereby preventing accidental ignition of the combustible mixture in the firing chamber when the cap is removed since the firing chamber and spark plug will not be grounded.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said fuel supply means includes a manually operated spray gun and a fuel container having a discharge nozzle in the path of flow of the air from the spray gun whereby air passing over the nozzle will entrain fuel therein with the fuel being atomized. A

5. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said firing chamber includes a partial baffie plate interposed between the spark plug and the point of communication of the fuel supply means with the firing chamber for protecting the spark plug from excessive fuel.

6. A toy cannon comprising, an elongated tubular firing chamber having one open end and a wall closing the other end, a spark plug mounted in the firing chamber adjacent said wall, fuel pump means communicated with the firing chamber longitudinally outwardly of the spark plug, a bathe-extending partially transversely of the firing chamber intermediate the spark plug and the point of communication between the fuel pump means and the firing chamber, preheating means extending through said wall adjacent the lower periphery thereof for volatilizing fuel in the firing chamber, an oxygen supply line communicating with the firing chamber and extending through the closed wall adjacent the spark plug, a petcock control valve in the oxygen supply line for controlling the inlet of oxygen, said petcock valve ineluding an eye, a spark plug wire connected to the outer end of the spark plug and extending through the eye for retaining the petcock valve in closed position when the spark plug wire is connected to the spark plug, and means connected with the firing chamber for supporting the firing chamber in an inclined position with the open end elevated above the closed end whereby fuel will be retained adjacent the wall in the closed end of the firing chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 87,887 Trask et al. Mar. 16, 1869 315,030 Hill Apr. 7, 1885 623,159 Jacobs Apr. 18, 1899 1,277,435 Lesko Sept. 3, 1918 1,343,456 Jones June 15', 1920 2,094,854 Smith Oct. 5, 1937 2,129,875 Rost Sept. 13, 1938 2,754,607 Wily July 17, 1956 2,817,951 Turner Dec. 31, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 17, 1952 

